His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

Chapter

29

The sound of police sirens cut through the air. I could hear them getting closer, their lights flashing in the distance. I didn't move from my spot by the window as the

police arrived, guns drawn. They approached Nathan cautiously, assessing

the scene. The rogues, battered and

bruised, were being handcuffed and

dragged away one by one.

Nathan reached the front steps and

knocked, his hand still trembling from the

fight.

I hesitated for a moment before opening the door. Nathan stood there, bloodied, bruised, and holding the bouquet like it was some sort of peace offering. His eyes flickered to the toys scattered across the floor inside the house. They belonged to

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His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

37

Oliver. The sight of them seemed to stir something in Nathan, a brief flash of guilt crossing his face.

"-" He started, then stopped. He cleared his throat, trying again. "Doris, I'm sorry. I've been a fool. I know I messed up, and I want to make things right."

I didn't say anything, just stood there, staring at him blankly. My silence seemed to make him more desperate.

"I brought these for you," he said, lifting the roses. "I know how much you love

them."

I raised an eyebrow, the coldness in my voice unmistakable. "I'm allergic to roses.

Nathan blinked, taken aback. "What?"

"Sienna told you I loved roses, didn't she?"

I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.

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His Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's in Peace

37

29

Nathan stammered, his confusion

growing. "Yeah, she-she said you loved them. I thought-"

let out a bitter laugh, shaking

"Of course she did.

me

the roses had made

hives, my skin itching so

stop scratching. Nathan hadn't believed me back then, accusing me

new cosmetic that

reaction. He had sided

always.

fell as

"I-I didn't

didn't." My

whatever Sienna told you. You've never known me, Nathan.

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Knees, His Pleas, But Our Son's

37

29

really,"

tightened around the boNqNet, his

I didn't mean

interrupted, my voice

"Get out of my

call the police again."

eyes widened, panic setting

"Doris, please"

"I said leave,"

I

there for a

change my mind. But

didn't move, didn't soften, he

bouquet of

hand. I

steps, his shoulders

he was gone,

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Kavees, His Pleas, By Ow

99

against it, the weight of

me. The house was a mess,

the remnants

lingering in the

long time, I felt nothing. No anger, no sadness,

Just indifference.

The sight of him disgusted me more than

everything that

things. He still didn't

never had.

I

my chest as I looked down at the flowers. Red

told him I liked them.